Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - February 7, 2007
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
February 7, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Present
were Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Kevin Mulvey, Mr. Dave McCarthy, Ms.
Linda Stice, Mr. Jim Timmins, Mayor Phelan and Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, Vice
Chairman.
Vice Chairman Presiding
The Superintendent called the roll and all members were present. Also present
were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, and Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk; Drs.
Mariano and Pattavina. Messrs. O’Brien, Ryan, Walsh, McPhee, Keith and Kevin
Segalla, and Mullaney; Ms. Powell, Roberts, Todd, Lebo, and Hughes.
Mr. Henry Brawley represented Citywide and Quincy High Associate Member
Paige Neumann was present.
Supt. Report
The Superintendent attended the Winter Institute at Beechwood Elementary
School for Parent Open House and Celebration. One hundred five students
showcased what they been working on.
This Saturday, the Superintendent and Mr. Keith Segalla will visit all six
elementary sites that are hosting the Literacy Matters Saturday Program for
children in Grades 2,3,4. This program is sponsored in full by the Mayor’s
Golf Tournament and also the Winter Initiative and the Summer Literacy
program.
Calendar Full Day 3/29/07
The MDOE has scheduled the MCAS long composition for Tuesday, March 29
for grades 4, 7 and 10. This date is a release day for elementary schools. In
order for all fourth graders to have sufficient time to complete this section of
the test, Tuesday, March 20 will be a full day. Parents will receive a
communication from their principals.
Grant Booklet FY-06-07
The Committee received the Grant Administration Booklet for FY06-07.
The Superintendent thanked Mr. Mullaney, his office staff, Team Leaders,
SLT and Principals who take so much of their time to write and administer
grants. A special thank you went to Ms. Cindy Lally for her communication
and system coordination.
The SPED Department is preparing for a Special Olympics event on Friday,
March 9. Ms. Todd gave details on the event. The Lt. Governor will visit
the Marshall School on February 9 to see the Full Day Kindergarten Program.
Committee members are invited.
Reg. Mins. Approved 1/17/2007 Exec.Session Mins. Review
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Ms. Stice, the Committee approved
the regular session minutes for January 17, 2007. The ayes have it. At the request
of Mr. Timmins, the Committee will review the approved executive session
minutes of January 3, 2007 in executive session.
Open Forum
As no one wished to be heard at the Open Forum, the Committee went on
with the business at hand.
Principals Recognized
The Superintendent welcomed the principals who were present to show support
for the School Committee and the Mayor. The Mayor thanked them for coming.
The Mayor told them he appreciated their added understanding with regard to
the QEA negotiations. Eventually, he expects the issue to be resolved.
Student Support Services/Transitioning
At this time Ms. Janet Powell and Ms. Colleen Roberts gave a presentation
on Standard 5 - Access, Participation and Student Academic Success.
Administration and staff help all students make effective transitions from
one school, grade level, or program to another. This assistance is focused
on maintaining or improving levels of student performance. Activities are
planned for students moving from grade 5 to 6 and from Grade 8 to 9.
Counselors, teachers and principals visit schools to speak to students in small
and large groups about their new school. Policies and programs address
the needs of transient and homeless students and provide them with timely
and equitable access to quality programs.
Another function of the Student Support Services is Central Registration.
New students register at their home school or at Central Registration. To
date, 660 new students have enrolled. Of these 218 students, the primary
language was not English. As of today, 148 families with students in
temporary living situations/homeless, have been served. Ten percent of
the student population is move ins and move outs. Extra curricular
clubs and activities are encouraged to assist the new students. At Atlantic,
ELL students come in early and meet. They get to talk and know each other.
From Elementary to Middle School, students have a “fly up day,” parent
orientation, and Middle School Counselors visit elementary classrooms. In
the Fall of Grade 6 counselors input at Academic Team meetings, student
issues are discussed at Team meetings, attendance concerns of incoming
6th graders are monitored. Department heads meet with middle school
Counselors, freshman/parent night, parenting seminars, monitoring attendance
of incoming 9th graders.
At middle and high school, schools communicate with parents by School
Messenger, school newsletters, brochures, fliers for parents, QPS website
and Channel 22 are some of the avenues available. The Naviance Family
Connections at the high schools is now made aware to parents. A link
on our website is being developed. This is a college and career planning
website which allows students to map out their college or career path.
Mr. Mulvey inquired as to the procedure for obtaining student records.
Mrs. Powell answered that it can be frustrating to get records. They work
very hard at obtaining records from other school districts. Records from
other states can be difficult. Immigrants come with accurate records, they
only need to be assessed. Mrs. Mahoney suggested the transfer of school
records be done by email. Some of our schools have begun an email listing
for their parents. With regard to the SPED students, they are on an IEP so
their transition is individualized. Parents meet principals, teachers, see
what classrooms look like. Parents are made aware of their options.
Mr. Timmins suggested more work done to assist students on transitioning
out of the system into college. He suggested identifying high achievers
in sports or the arts and trying to help them to go to college.
Mr. Santoro explained how student attendance is monitored. Parents
are notified by School Messenger. Mr. Metzler found School Messenger
extremely helpful. All middle and high schools are utilizing the School
Messenger.
One of the major concerns raised at the School Improvement Plan
meetings was the difficulty dealing with the move ins and move outs.
The Mayor asked that this be analyzed, not just how many move in
and move out but how long do they stay, what percentage have IEPs.
The more information we have the better. Having 10% of the school
population moving in and out is huge and has an impact on the entire
school. This is an area where we really have to key on. When do
we assess the new students that come in. How much do we want
to rely on and what extent should we. Dealing with this population is
the biggest issue heard from the principals. Mrs. Powell answered
that everyone is addressing this issue.
Bldgs. & Grounds
Mr. Mike Ryan reported that the Maintenance Dept. has been responding to
heating issues. They replaced carpets and tile at North Quincy High School
and at the Snug Harbor Community School. They are painting at the Early
Childhood Center and Snug Harbor. They relocated the Inspection Services
Department, the Constituent Services office, the Treasurer’s and the
Assessor’s offices. Elevators are being recertified. Two additional boilers
have been brought on line at Atlantic and Broad Meadows.
New QHS
The Building Committee met today and are planning to present something
to the Committee in March. The Building Committee will review the design
development drawings and then they will be presented to the Committee.
A Committee was formed to choose the Construction Manager at Risk. The
proposals are due this Friday. Woodward Ave. will be closed right after
school gets out. We are close to meeting the State requirements for the Mass
CHPS Program. The Schematic designs have been submitted to the MSBA
and Tishman and SMMA are working with them. As of this day, we are current.
Quarterly Budget Report
Mr. Mullaney reported that the Budget Subcommittee met to review the
Quarterly Budget ending in December 2006.
Academic Classroom Teachers - There was an anticipated breakage of
$1.8 million. However, the actual breakage was less due to less teachers
retiring and staff hired at higher levels. As of June 30 there will be a
deficit of $147,000 in these lines. Salaries and savings will be used to
offset these lines.
Academic Programs - there is a small deficit in this line of $14,438 As of
June 30, there will be a surplus of $21,000. This will be used to offset other
lines.
Academic Support: Several staffing positions and changes have been put
on hold. It is anticipated as of June 30 there will be a surplus of $30,000.
This will be used to offset deficits in other salary lines.
Non Academic Areas: Some positions were not filled. Overtime is being
closely monitored. As of June 30 there will be a surplus of $200,000 in this
line. It will be used in to offset other salary lines.
We have reduced spending in other areas to make up shortfalls. As of
June 30, there should be a surplus of $106,000. We will monitor all lines.
Academic Expense Areas. - SPED Tuitions has surpassed its budgeted amount
by $328,848. There should be a savings in supplies, textbooks, and equipment
line of $74,945. In order to address this, all expense lines have been frozen.
Even with this freeze, more has been spent on educational supplies this year
than in the past three years.
We will be working with budget subcommittee to work on savings and budget
transfers. We have notified the MDOE that Quincy will be apply for the circuit
breaker extraordinary relief program.
Non Academic Expenses. Transportation has caused much concern with a
deficit of $102,382. The addition of two mini buses has allowed us to take
back some routes. We have also combined routes. Transportation, SPED and
Business have been working to fix this. Also, all non academic expenses are
being closed monitored. Supplies, textbooks and learning materials previously
had a large increase. Requisitions that come in are closely reviewed and need
Superintendent approval. Most supplies are in place at the beginning of the
school year.
Quarterly Budget Accepted by S.C.
Mr. McCarthy concluded that the Budget Subcommittee took a hard look at
the budget and has come up with a pro-active plan. He made a motion,
seconded by Mr. Timmins, that the Committee accept the quarterly budget.
The ayes have it.
2007-08 QPS Calendar Approved
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
accepted the Quincy Public Schools Calendar for 2007-2008. The ayes have
it.
2007-08 S.C. Calendar Approved
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
approved a change offered by Mrs. Dwyer to the School Committee Calendar.
Mrs. Dwyer added a second meeting in February 27 and moved the March
meetings to March 12 and 26, 2008. The ayes have it. On a motion by Ms.
Stice, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee approved the revised School
Committee Calendar for 2007-2008. The ayes have it.
Sterling to Canada
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Timmins, the Committee
approved a trip for Sterling students to travel to Montreal, Canada from
May 4 to May 6, 2007. The ayes have it.
Robotics to Florida
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the Committee
approved a trip for students to travel to the Robotics competition in Orlando,
Florida from March 7, to March 11, 2007. The ayes have it.
QHS to NH
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
approved a trip to Sunapee Ski Resort, N.H. for Quincy High School students
on March 7, 2007. The ayes have it.
Gift - to Homeless from Point Congregational
On a motion by Mrs. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
accepted a gift of $500.00 from the Quincy Point Congregational Church to
“Project Access: Educational Services to Homeless Children.” The ayes
have it.
Additional Business
Ms. Stice mentioned an article in the Globe on the graduation rate. It has
dropped about .5%. The state is looking at how many students graduate in
four years. Ms. Stice and the Superintendent reviewed that. There are a very
high percentage of students who do not speak English. The article states that
students may need a fifth year of high school to graduate. This is a totally different
way of looking at the graduation rate. The Superintendent said this would be
a good discussion for our next meeting. The article, he said, was misleading.
Policy Subcommittee Report
Ms. Stice reported that the Policy Subcommittee met and continues to
discuss items they think might be ways to improve their school district.
They are looking at two or three projects they want to understand in depth
for next year. They will meet again next Monday.
Resignations
The Committee noted the following resignations:
Paraprofessional: Eleicea Brandolini
Lunch Attendant: Joanne Casey
Custodian: Michael Lonergan Jr.
Appointments
The Committee noted the following appointments:
Teachers: Lisa Berry, Nicoleta Bleskan, Eleicea Brandolini, Marina Rozenberg
Lunch Attendant: Melissa Reynolds
Paraprofessional: Carly Sell
Adjournment
On a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
voted to go into Executive Session at 9:21 p.m. for the purpose of negotiations.
They Committee did not return to Open Session. On a roll call vote, the
motion to go into Executive Session passed unanimously 7-0.